The Chris Smalling Story

[Mendoza]

Am I the only one a bit miffed by this lads career and how quickly he has gone from nothing to a £12million rated player?

I think its great, not one you see very often, if at all. Not picked up by any academy, and only played in 9 professional games.

2007 - he played 12 games for Maidstone in the Isthmian League
2008 - he signed for Fulham and played one game
2009 - Played 4 games for Fulham, gets in the England Under 21s
2010 - signed for Man Utd for £12million, although he's not joining until next season.

Fair play top the lad, one to look out for....

 

[herbicide]

Came on once for Fulham this season and scored an own goal (Stamford Bridge).

Seriously £12m. And our Victor Moses will go for far less.

 

[Uncle C]

Seriously £12m. And our Victor Moses will go for far less.

But then he is a basket case.

 

[the right footed denilson]

It's an amazing story. A big risk for Man U too. Good luck to the lad.

 

[mejonaNO12 aka riskit]

I wonder why man utd are struggling financially....

 

[Rookie]

Well done to him and well done to Hodgson (future England manger) for giving him a chance in the first place.

 

[Lankyseagull]

Shows it can happen.

Didn't Sasa Ilic play for Stamco in the Sussex County League the season before he signed for Charlton Athletic when they were yo-yoing between the Prem & Championship?

 

[Silent Bob]

Came on once for Fulham this season and scored an own goal (Stamford Bridge).

Seriously £12m. And our Victor Moses will go for far less.

Well he's played more than once for Fulham this season, also not sure what a ball bouncing against him from 2 yards has to do with anything. I think you've misunderstood the idea of transfer fees really, it's decided on talent and worth to the two clubs, not by counting how many times they've played.

 

[maidstoneseagull]

From a Maidstone Utd point of view they couldn't sign him for some reason to do with him playing England schoolboys and therefore couldn't sign him on a youth contract (not sure of the exact details) and he then found his way to Fulham. It's a shame as they have brought him through and get nothing and they need the money.